The ironies of life

Tag

"We were so poor that in our Kinder eggs there were no surprises even". A roar of laughter in the room during Jamel Debbouze’s scene. The sketch continues listing the details of everyday life of a Moroccan family based in one of the poor areas of the Paris banlieu.

On the stages around the world, a new generation of stand-up comedians of most diverse cultural backgrounds is speaking to audiences about their double backgrounds, exaggerating the clichés to show us the absurdity of certain prejudices.

"The other day they arrested five passengers who had begun to pray before entering their aircraft. I ask myself: when on earth would a terrorist begin to shout in front of the boarding-gate: "You are all going to explode"?. This is how the monologue of the comedian Maz Jobrani who was born in Iran and grew up in the United States, begins.

"Now nice! I am about to get married. I am so looking forward to meeting my husband at last": Shazia Mirza is British, of Pakistani origin and does not miss a chance to comment in a biting tone the condition of women in her community. She is entertaining, makes one reflect and at times makes the more extremists angry, who do not like certain truths.

Photo. A classic anglo-pakistani family: the cast of the sitcom Citizen Khan, by and with Adil Ray (in the part of Mr.Khan).